If you're looking for a quaint spot that feels like a hidden gem, this is the "caviar" of intimate fine dining. I recently tried the chef's 8-course tasting menu, and it was perfectly paced--the small plates are proportionately sized so you leave feeling satisfied rather than overwhelmed. Every dish is a standout with deep, "stacked" flavors; even the ingredients I was skeptical about ended up being favorites. Nothing needed a drop of extra seasoning. The service sets a warm, welcoming tone from the start. We were offered Oshibori (Japanese warm towelettes) to refresh our hands, and getting a fresh set of utensils with every course was a high-end touch I really appreciated. Menu Highlights: Taro Fritter: A sweet-textured appetizer inspired by Chinese desserts, topped with caviar and soy-pickled beets. It was a beautiful way to awaken the palate. Mackerel Crudo: As someone who isn't usually a fan of raw dishes, I was surprised by how much I loved this. It's light, perfectly acidic, and balanced with plum, ponzu, and apple. Grilled Sunchoke: This was "rustic elegance" in a bowl. The smell alone is incredible, and the combination of ginger crab and shellfish butter is pure comfort. Smoked Duck: Topped with black winter truffle and caramelized onions in a gochujang sauce--absolutely excellent cook and presentation. Braised Beef Cheek: So tender you can skip the knife and just use your fork. Since I forgot to BYOB, I tried their house-made Luck & Love hibiscus drink. It's hands-down the best hibiscus tea I've ever had--I actually tried to buy one to-go, but they only make enough for dine-in guests! It's a fantastic spot to bring friends or loved ones, though I'd recommend arriving early. The parking lot is extremely tight, so you might need to look for space in the lot next door. read more

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Was visiting the area and wanted to eat somewhere special, saw some great reviews so decided to book a spot here. We went with the tasting menu and absolutely loved it. Every dish felt intentional, balanced, and thoughtfully composed, the chefs clearly pay attention to the smallest details. Standouts for me were the red snapper crudo, black cod, and the squid congee, which was surprisingly comforting yet refined. The cornbread and desserts were fire as well, really everything they served felt like they put their heart and soul into it. Beyond the food, what really impressed me was the cadence of the meal. The pacing was perfect, and the team was incredibly observant, they notice everything without being intrusive, you can just tell that they really care about the customer experience. Overall, a beautifully executed tasting menu and an experience that felt intentional, creative, and inspiring. Will definitely return when I'm in the area again. read more

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The flavors in the dishes are so complex interesting and delicious! Chef Sean served a few courses to us! The service was attentive and very nice. They switched out our utensils with every course! The Decor is contemporary with clean lines. You can sit at the bar to watch the staff cook or reserve a table. BYO. read more

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Good prefix Asian fusion spot in NJ. Definitely go for the experience and not expecting authentic flavors but fusion esque dishes. The courses are designed to give you the hint of various authentic Chinese dishes but fused into modern dishes in nice presentation. I went on a Saturday and had our nice server host my experience. It was a good experience overall and felt the dishes were interesting but some were underwhelming. The server did acknowledge that today's course was not the best and the dishes are always being adjusted. I think the beef noodle dish should not be plated in some type of tiny bowl. It was less than a few slurps, not enough to gain the flavor but just a hint. Chinese dishes are usually big on portions and there are so many chinese apps that could be featured but most of the dishes in these courses are more Western than eastern dishes. read more

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Ram & Rooster is the perfect spot for a special night out. The ambiance is sophisticated yet inviting, the food is excellent, and the BYOB option makes it even better. A true gem for a memorable evening. read more

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Great service! Food was incredible and atmosphere made for an overall good experience. They make you feel very special from arriving til leaving. We can't wait to return. read more

Excellent service, beautiful, romantic and cozy vibes, and great food. I previously had the pleasure of trying some dishes at Ram and Rooster's Yelp Elite event and knew I had to come back. My husband and I tried the 5 course menu on Wednesday for dinner. The tuna tartare starter was excellent, the egg custard was very good. The char siu pork was excellent with the slaw. The Dan Dan noodles were tasty but I felt there was a smidge too much sauce and the sausage was a little dry. The desserts were good and the cinnamon persimmon sorbet was incredible! The frescas we ordered were very tasty as well as we forgot to bring wine. Love to see Metuchen get a fantastic place like this and it's so good to see it buzzing on a Wednesday night. Congratulations Chef Sean and team and I hope to be back soon to do the full tasting ! read more

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We enjoyed a spectacular dinner at Ram and Rooster. The food and service is impeccable. We enjoyed Duck; beef cheeks; taro fritter; mackerel crudo; grilled sunchokes with ginger crab; salt bread with Szechuan peppercorn butter; Hokkaido scallop; chocolate sorbet; lemon cake; and gai mei cookie for dessert. It all went great with an excellent cabernet and Malbec. The attached menu gives all of the details. The chef is a true artist, the way he combines the various ingredients and textures. Every bite is just a party in your mouth. This is definitely one of the top restaurants in NJ. read more

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My partner and I came here to try the tasting menu. It's BYOB and conveniently located next to a strip mall liquor shop. We brought a bottle of red and white to pair and dived right in. I had the vegetarian tasting and he had the regular. It was fun to see the vegetarian interpretation of each course and for a few dishes, he even thought the vegetarian option was more interesting and better executed. Service is warm and efficient. I think the menu changes but it was a lovely evening and we were more than full with little room for more at the end of dinner. read more

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The space is beautiful, a small but unexpected restaurant in Metuchen. It is byob, and they offer non-alcoholic drinks like teas. The first course was probably my favorite, raw scallop with ice cream and rhubarb. Weird combination but it worked. The Chinese egg custard and the fried morel vegetarian sub were a bit unremarkable. The ocean trout was nice--crispy skin. The bean curd substitute de the lamb was a bit too salty, and cold. The duck was chewy, which I guess it always is. But I thought that the $52 fee for swapping three small slices of duck with three small slices of beef was a bit much. The surprise course if the scallion pancake biscuit was a nice addition, the scallion aroma was strong, in a good way. I really didn't like the snap pea sorbet. It might have done better as an ice cream to counter the sharp snap pea taste. The mochi beignet was good, and the soybean powder reminded me of Korean rice cakes. Overall, service and presentation were exceptional and the dishes were very unique. I would say half the dishes were perfect and the other half did not meet expectations for the price. We still had a great time, and nothing stood out as bad, so it was a lovely night! read more

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Loved it!! They have their own parking lot which is nice for metuchen. They have their set chefs menu which was 8 dishes. We also got an extra bread dish technically making it 9. They were all amazing, the coconut dish was the stand out dish for me. I'll be back! read more

My friend and I had previously tried to book a reservation at Ram & Rooster but found it fully booked for weeks. We decided to wait until the initial hype died down. On a Friday afternoon, I checked availability again, for the same evening, and was surprised to find open slots for every time. We even had the choice of seating at a table or the chef's counter, and we opted for the latter. We arrived a few minutes early, which worked out well as it gave us time to park. The parking lot is small and tight, so finding a spot can be a challenge, but it's a bonus if you manage to get one. The restaurant is housed in a modernized home, with dark colors and large windows that create a moody, contemporary atmosphere. Upon entering, we were promptly greeted and seated at the chef's counter. In my excitement about securing a reservation, I had overlooked the limited menu on their website. Having seen reviews comparing it to Heirloom Kitchen, which offers a tasting menu with options, I wrongly assumed Ram & Rooster would be similar. However, Ram & Rooster only offers a single menu with a vegetarian alternative. When our waitress inquired about food allergies, I mentioned that I don't eat much of the fish on the menu. She pointed out that I hadn't reviewed the menu beforehand and offered the vegetarian option, which is priced the same as the regular menu. I chose to stay rather than scramble to find another place at the last minute. As the courses arrived, they were all beautifully presented but lacked substantial portions. Each course was overly salty, and we were fortunate if we got three full bites per dish. Although the waitress allowed me to substitute one vegetarian course with duck, it arrived undercooked and cold. After taking a single tiny bite, I left the rest uneaten, but the manager didn't inquire about my dissatisfaction when clearing the dishes. At $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity, I left feeling hungry and dissatisfied. None of the dishes were particularly enjoyable, including dessert. Unlike other chef's counters where the staff engages with you and checks on your experience, we didn't receive any such interaction here. Overall, the menu wasn't for me, and with only one option available, I can't see how many times one could return. It's unclear whether the menu changes monthly or seasonally, if at all. read more

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Amazing experience Best concept and elegant food. Preparation and delicate balance of taste explosion on each perfect dish. The chefs tasting menu is not to be missed. I have to say one of the best restaurants in NJ Kudos! read more

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Did tasting menu a couple months back (03/25) after friends recommended spot. Pretty good value. Would like to come back to try other iteration of their menu! Photos don't lie. It's also being your own bottle! read more

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Are we in NYC, or are we in Metuchen, NJ?! Ram & Rooster is a beautiful new addition to Metuchen with a creative, Chinese inspired set menu. We came to celebrate a friend's birthday and managed to be seated in the private upstairs room, which was a wonderful experience altogether. Each plate of the set menu is reminiscent of a popular Chinese dish, and I loved the unique take on each one. It's hard to choose a favorite course, but the stand outs for me were the tomato bingfen, scallop tempura, and corn wontons, which were all so different. The dessert "dim sum" presentation was also fun and creative. We loved everything, and will certainly be back to try their other seasonal menus. read more

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What a cool experience! My husband and I tried the Five Course Tasting Menu (only available on Wednesdays and Thursdays) on a Thursday. I'm glad that we chose the 5-course because I was stuffed after that and I don't think I would've been able to handle the 8-course. I made a reservation a few weeks in advance and we were seated right away when we got here. All of the staff is super nice and accommodating and we were treated with such care and kindness. They took our jackets and ensured that our wine and water glasses were filled at all times. The ambiance is very romantic and I loved being able to sit at the Chef's Counter to see them in action. We started out with a complimentary small app on the house. I love the small details because you can tell that a lot of work goes into preparation of each course. The first course was Tuna Crudo with chinese sausage mushrooms and rice crackers. The tuna was super fresh and flavorful - loved it! Next was the Chinese Egg Custard followed by Cha Siu Pork Collar. You really can't go wrong with cha siu - it was so tender and flavorful. The final course before dessert was Cumin Dan Dan Noodles - this was a really big dish for a tasting menu (see photo)! And finally, for dessert, they had Dim Sum featuring a Cinnamon Persimmon Sorbet, Black Sesame Yuzu Tart and Walnut Cookie. The walnut cookie was my favorite - it resembled a really yummy moon cake. Overall, Ram & Rooster is the perfect special-occasion spot if you are open to trying new foods and allowing the staff to just do their thing. If you have dietary restrictions or aversions, I think they can still accommodate certain things but I find that a tasting menu like this is only really worth it if you are open to sitting back and letting go! read more

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Huge shoutout to Chef Yan & his crew! Looking for a place to celebrate my 57th, I came across this new up-and-coming restaurant on TikTok...Ram & Rooster, named after the Chinese zodiacs of the Chef's mom (Ram) and dad (Rooster). Chef Sean Yan uses Chinese ingredients with an American take on each dish. It's a 5 or 8 course tasting menu depending on what time you go. The space is a dimly-lit ambiance. The entire time we were there, Beyonce and Rihanna were playing in the background to set that chic and sexy mood. My son loves Beyonce and I love Rihanna. First course was their tuna tartare with yellow chives, white soy on top of a panna cotta. This starter blew us away. It set the stage for what the rest of the meal would be like. Not one single dish missed the mark in terms of flavor and seasoning. Every course had us wanting more. Like can I have another Lotus Root Crouquette please, one just isn't enough. Lol. I was giddy every time each course was served, it was like unveiling a present. Presentation was on point and meticulously plated. Love hearing the stories behind some of the dishes from the staff. They nailed it when it came to their sauce creations and broths. My favorite cuisine is French and I always say, they are masters of sauces. Chef Yan has that magic touch. This is as good as it gets. Here are our top 4 favorite dishes of the night: - Tuna Tartare served on top of a Panna Cotta - Grilled Octopus (incredibly tender and that sauce!!!) - Lotus Root Croquette (Inspired by his mom's lotus root meatballs) - Crusted Black Cod (winning dish of the night) We got to enjoy one of their high-quality tea selections, Nanjing Rain Flower Green Tea. My son had the Hong Kong Iced Tea. He said he would drink that everyday if he could. The prices reflects fine dining at its best. It is an eight-course tasting menu so don't expect huge portions. I left satisfied. It was such a surprise when Chef Sean Yan came out with a gold candle on my dessert for my birthday. It was a pleasure to meet him, shake his hand and chat with him for a bit. That totally made my night extra special. As we were leaving we each got to take home a homemade Chinese marshmallow nougat. Happy Year of the Snake 2025! Wishing R&R continued success. Service is a 10/10. Small parking lot in the back. Although they don't serve alcohol, you can BYOB. read more

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Recently heard about this from some colleagues. Had to try it out - got the 8 course menu. Each dish was cooked perfectly. Presentation was great. Flavors were amazing. Out of the 8 dishes, there was truly only one that I didn't love. I was told that about every 6 weeks they replace a few items on each menu. Then 6 weeks after, they replace the other ones. So truly, every 6 weeks is a different experience. The staff was friendly, attentive, definitely added to the experience. read more

Ram & Rooster - 8-course menu - New American Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

Anyone who loves and appreciates food will find Ram & Rooster to check off all the boxes for a perfect culinary experience. Their unique chef's tasting menu allows diners to sit back, relax, and let the chefs totally take over and deliver 8 exquisitely prepared courses. Each dish was the perfect combination of textures and flavors. The entire meal was a beautiful tribute to the chef's Chinese heritage. Aside from the food, the team members were incredibly gracious and kind, and the building itself is a work of art. Metuchen is lucky to host such an incredible restaurant. read more

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There is parking on-site. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and conveniently located next to Wine Chateau next door so you can BYOB! Service was excellent and true to that of a fine dining establishment. The bites were tasty. They gave a scallion pancake cornbread dish on the house :), which came out piping hot and tasty! As for the inside, I loved the colors of the interior, furniture, and accents. There is seating for larger parties upstairs. read more

Great restaurant! The food was tasty and nicely presented. Staff were attentive and friendly, creating a pleasant experience. A few small improvements could make it truly perfect next time. read more

We tried the prix fixe March menu and all dishes had complex flavors and beautiful presentation. The servers were knowledgeable and friendly. We were seated in the upper level which had a good view. The decor was tasteful and the ambiance elevated by the hot tea scented hand towels prior to the meal, and the products in the restroom. We would be back to try other seasonal offerings. read more

Finally came her with the hubby for a late birthday celebration. We have known chef Sean for quite some time now and we were so excited when we heard his restaurant was now taking reservations! It's located in the heart of Metuchen. There is parking in the back so visitors shouldn't really have to worry about parking. You walk into an open kitchen. The hostess was very nice, and we were seated quick. We reserved the chefs table which is literally where all the action happens. You can see the chefs cooking and building dishes. The restaurant has a warm and inviting feeling. The gold really pops next to the browns and blacks. It's very elegant. Our waiter, Kevin, was very nice, attentive, and very interactive with us. I appreciate this! Actually, we spoke to a few waitresses and all were super nice! They offer a tasting menu with set dishes. I can honestly say both my husband and I really loved all the dishes. To the point where we are slurping the soup out the bowls! It was definitely a wonderful experience! If anyone wants an elevated fine dining experience, I suggest all to go visit Ram & Rooster! read more

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I'm just a kid from the ironbound, but this place is amazing. You wanna take your wife out for an experience? Take her here. You wanna impress a date and maybe get that next date, take him here. Are you into fine dining and don't want to take a train to Manhattan because you live in New Jersey, come here. You like stuff that tastes different from those other places you eat? Just come here, yeah it's fancy, yeah there's like 8 small portions but I'm stuffed and I'm not done yet. Go somewhere nicer than Olive Garden and come to Ram and Rooster read more

Ram & Rooster - Chef diligently and masterfully putting things into a small bowl - New American Near Me - Metuchen, New Jersey

This was a cool experience trying Chinese fine dining! I think the food tended to be more Chinese than like French/New American, which is the opposite of other fancy fusion places I've tried (ex- Jungsik, Bloom), which tend to lean French. I appreciate that authenticity. Food overall was good, standouts being the reimagined Beijing (Peking) duck being super tender (as it is medium rare) and super crispy tempura but tender scallops with an excellent sauce including crab meat. The shao bing (baked flatbread) with butter was amazing! Other dishes just ranged from decent to good; ex- I didn't understand the appeal of the corn wontons. Tomato bingfen- was a light, refreshing and a strong start to the meal. Parking lot is limited at the restaurant. Waitstaff was polite and explained dishes, but would've preferred interaction from the kitchen; a waitress did mention the owner/chef's thinking of the chef's counter like an omakase-style experience. When our teapots were empty, i took off my teacup lid and my dining companion flipped it as customary to request more tea at Chinese restaurants. The non-Asian wait staff didn't recognize this gesture but I imagine they will pick up on this later on. That being said, my Pu-erh (Yunnan iirc) and other black tea were quite nice. Spoke to the owner for a bit when leaving and he was friendly and explained his vision of bringing Chinese fine dining to NJ. Definitely appreciate this as many people don't know what actual Chinese food is. This restaurant brings real Chinese food to a new level. read more

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Come to Ram and Rooster to enjoy delicious Chinese infused dishes! The ambience hits - the hip tunes go along well with the beautiful space. The large floor to ceiling windows and open kitchen reflects the openness of the restaurant theme. The service was top level, very attentive and friendly! A combo of fine dining with traditional Chinese flavors - Chef Sean Yan has created a yummy spot for foodies to savor this experience! read more

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Just an amazing time start to finish. Beautiful place, great ambiance. Staff is so friendly and attentive - Kevin was one of the best waiters I've ever had. Enjoyed every single dish in the 8 course tasting menu; they were each visually beautiful and equally delicious. Such a good combination of flavors in each. It's impossible to pick a favorite. The tea was so good. Everything was perfectly timed and I left feeling completely satisfied but not overly full/ stuffed. It was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. read more

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Went a few nights ago and did the 8 course tasting. Food was unique and well done. Service A+. Really cool atmosphere. Sat at the counter with another couple and talked with the chefs the whole night. Great for a date night for 2 or a few couples who are adventurous with food. Also, we have some food allergies and they were incredibly accommodating and attentive. read more

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Ram & Rooster is worth alllll of the hype! The 8 course chefs tasting menu started my year off extremely strong. From the ambience, the service, the food and even the music this place has earned 5 stars on all fronts. The host, servers and chefs (as we sat at the chefs counter which I highly recommend as you get to watch all of the food be prepared) couldn't have been more kind and attentive. Each dish was a perfect pairing of unique flavors and textures, and were all prepared and plated to perfection. The portion sizes were generous and unlike many chefs tastings, I was so full even before the dessert courses. I look forward to coming back for the 5 course menu available on Wednesdays and Thursdays and look forward to what the next season will bring to this menu. read more

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After visiting a networking event, I had the chance to visit this business and was impressed with the freshness and presentation of the foods. Although it isn't the type of meals I eat, I can appreciate the care and craft involved. read more

Had a wonderful meal at Ram & Rooster to celebrate our anniversary a few months ago. R&R pays homage to traditional Chinese cuisine while adding modern flair, and the resulting dishes are beautifully presented, with an explosion of depth and flavor. I don't eat fish so there were 2 dishes that were substituted for me. My personal favorites from the summer menu were the honey shrimp toast and scallop tenpura. Looking forward to going back to try their F/W seasonal menus! read more

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Returned to Ram & Rooster for our second time a few days ago to celebrate our daughter's birthday. Our party of 5 had the chef's tasting menu, two with caviar supplement on the snapper crudo. Everything was very good, but my favorite dishes were the Egg Tofu, Roast Duck, Squid Congee, and Mochi Beignet. The tasting menu at $125 is not cheap, but for what you get an absolute bargain (especially BYOB). If you live anywhere between Morris and Ocean counties this is one of the best restaurant experiences you can have. Service is personal and knowledgeable. Food components are paired creatively, cooked well, and plated attractively. The only other restaurants in that area that that I would put in same tier are Frog & Peach in New Brunswick and Scalini Fedeli in Chatham. read more

I dined at Ram & Rooster last night with my husband and teenage daughter for a celebratory birthday dinner. It was an excellent and unique dining experience that we all enjoyed from the moment we entered. The restaurant has a nice, modern feel and the staff was professional, very attentive and friendly. They knew in advance that we were celebrating a birthday and acknowledged it with a few special touches without having to be reminded. I am still in awe of the creative vision that went into the meal from start to finish. Every dish was beautifully presented and the complexity of the different flavors and ingredients worked very well together. The passion and attention to detail in each dish comes through. Everything was simply delicious. I was very impressed by the execution of this fine dining experience, from the quality and creativity of the dishes, to the service, this is truly a gem. To not have to go to NYC for this experience was a bonus. I'd highly recommend making a reservation soon because as word spreads of the talent behind this menu, there won't ever be an empty seat in this house! read more

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Nothing bad to say about this place. Awesome food, service and ambiance. Only thing preventing me from coming back more often is the steep price. Can't afford dinners at this price. read more

Fantastic meal and intimate experience. The highlights of the chef's tasting were tuna tartare with yellow china panna cotta and white soy, and grilled octopus with 3 cups glaze. If you're unfamiliar, 3 cups chicken is a popular Taiwanese dish and I've had 3 cups mushrooms variations before. It's salty, sweet, and umami. The basil really balances the dish. My quick summary of why everything was so delicious: contrast and balance. The 8 courses were just the right portion size to enjoy and appreciate flavors and textures. By the end I was full and super satisfied. Staff was very attentive and explained each dish. When I learned that the 5 course is a completely different menu, I started looking forward to returning. read more

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Wonderful addition to this area. I love tasting menus and now one with Asian influences across all of its dishes. The chef was formally the pastry chef at Heirloom kitchen I believe. Definitely opt for the chefs counter as you get a view of the action. They are BYOB but do have some assorted teas and drinks for the non-drinkers. The meal was exceptional and I'd highly recommend. read more

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Amazing restaurant.... The staff... the service...ambiance. The food! 100/10. Please do their tasting menu. What an experience! I've been there twice... I will keep going back! read more

Not a lot of seating so make sure you make a reservation. All the food was delicious except the corn wonton dish. Felt that was salty and missing the shrimp as a wonton. Service and staff was excellent. read more

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Dinner for 2 at the chef's counter on a Thursday. Excellent tasting menu experience. My wife is vegetarian and they accommodated a full vegetarian menu for her. We both enjoyed basically every dish. The grilled eggplant/seabass was the highlight. The service was excellent as well. Awesome to see commitment to great food in a fine dining establishment in New Jersey! We need more of these. read more

In all sincerity, one of the best meals I've ever had. I've been to a few high end restaurants in the area including lita and heirloom kitchen and this one probably clears both. Phenomenal food and dining experience read more